Thanks Jane... from all of us

Dr Katharine Bassett

After two decades as a leading Canberra clinician and medical educator, Professor Jane Dahlstrom celebrated her retirement in July. Many of Canberra Doctor’s readers would know Jane as a colleague, teacher and mentor. While she has been all these things to me, she has also been something else — my mum.

In gathering information for this article, I realised that there is a lot I don’t know about my mum. Her resume (at 95 pages long) gives some insight into her contribution to medicine, teaching, research, and executive administration, and it’s clear that her contribution has been significant. She was a Staff Specialist in anatomical pathology at ACT Pathology for over 20 years and held several leadership positions during this time. Of note, she was the acting head of the Canberra Clinical School for the Australian National University (ANU) School of Medicine and Psychology, Chair and Professor of Pathology for ANU Medicine, the Executive Director of ACT Pathology, Canberra Health Services for two years, and prior to this was the interim Dean for the ANU College

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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation has recently been added to the Medical Benefits Scheme for the treatment of refractory depression and we have moved our offices to a larger space in Francis Chambers, Woden to accommodate the increase in demand. tmsact.com.au of Health and Medicine. In addition to several international appointments, she held several honorary positions with the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia. Her love for medical education resulted in many awards for teaching, including the Carrick Award — a national award for Australian university teaching — and the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). With more than 180 peer reviewed original research articles, reviews, editorials, and book chapters, her contributions to research have been significant. This is only a snapshot of her contributions and accomplishments, and she did all this while raising six children. When you ask her how she managed to achieve so much, she puts it down to two things — incredible support from her family, and incredible support from her colleagues. There are two colleagues who played a particularly important role in mum’s career: Dr Sanjiv Jain, her Clinical Director in Anatomical Pathology for 30 years, and Professor Paul Gatenby, the inaugural Dean of the ANU Medical School. Listening to mum talk about how these two men gave her opportunities and space to grow, be creative, and take on leadership positions was inspiring. She paid that experience forward, providing that same space to other young doctors and researchers, empowering the next generation. When you speak to her students and colleagues, many will say that Jane has been their mentor, their inspiration, a pioneer who paved the way for future women. Hearing these things made me proud to be her daughter and made me reflect on the significant role she has played in my own career. When I was sick as a child and couldn’t go to school, mum would often bring me along to her lectures. The first lecture I attended was when I was eight, and it was on the appendix. I attended so many of her lectures that by the time I was in university, as she was my teacher I knew most of the topics back to front. Those who have had the privilege of attending one of my mum’s lectures would agree that she has a gift for teaching. While she tends to misplace her glasses midway through the lecture (usually finding on her head), and will often throw in a few jokes that no one understands, I know everyone would agree when I say that the way she teaches is magnetic. In addition to her clinical work, leadership roles, and teaching, mum is a gifted researcher. Mum did her PhD at the John Curtin School of Medical Research, ANU, and has continued to do research for almost 30 years. She would always say to us that her research made her a better clinician. Some 27 years after my mum was awarded her PhD, I decided to do my PhD at the same institution, and during this time I was fortunate enough to collaborate with her. For those who have done research, you would agree that at times the temptation to walk away and quit is overwhelming, however my mum’s ability to work through problems and help me find a solution always kept me on track.

While I am so lucky that mum has been my teacher, mentor, and research collaborator, most importantly she has been an amazing mum. I have watched her work incredibly hard and achieve amazing things, and I am looking forward to her being able to take a step back and — for the first time in her life — take a break. It would not surprise anyone to know that, in her retirement, mum will continue contributing to medical education and research. She was recently appointed as Chair of the Australian Medical Council’s (AMC) Medical School Accreditation Committee (MedSAC) and will continue her research with her husband Professor Chris Nolan. However, this next chapter of mum’s life will also give her more time to do the things she loves most of all — spending time with her family, sitting in the garden, playing the piano, and painting. While some may see this as the end of an era, I believe it is the start of something even more exciting.

“Prof Jane Dahlstrom became a dear friend as well as an amazing colleague and mentor after I started at the Canberra Hospital. As a new neonatologist to Canberra she took me under her wing, taught me everything I know about placentas, helped me start the ACT Maternal and Perinatal Mortality Committee, included me and supported me with involvement at the ANU Medical School to becoming a Professor. However, my favourite memories will be our sailing trips in the Whitsundays where her pathology brain never turned off while giving us an anatomy lesson dissecting the fish we had caught.”

Professor Alison Kent, Head of Unit, Neonatology, Women and Babies Division, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide

“Jane possesses a unique talent for breathing life into theoretical concepts. When we teach together, her lectures are always full of energy, and you can see that her students are totally engaged. Her intellect constantly leaves me in awe, as does her genuine kindness and willingness to offer assistance. It has been a pleasure working with such an exceptional individual.”

Professor Steve Robson, Federal AMA President

“Jane joined our Department as a Trainee Registrar in Anatomical Pathology in 1992. Ever since she has shown a passion for excellence in whatever she does. She is diligent, empathetic, and an incredible teacher and communicator. She has been a role model and mentor for many young doctors over the years.”

Dr Sanjiv Jain – Director of Anatomical Pathology

“Jane has been a legend in our profession for many years and has brought to this town her kind of medicine. Her enthusiasm and her gifts, both at the highest levels, have combined into a career that has brought great credit to Canberra, and great benefit to medicine. And like many of our greatest, there are tens of thousands of people walking round our city today who have no idea who she is and what she’s done for all of them and us. Thanks Jane for being amazing -- and best wishes for a long, healthy and happy next chapter in a remarkable life.”

Antonio Di Dio, former president AMA ACT, Acting Director PSR

“Jane is an exemplar role model as a clinician, researcher, teacher and leader. She has been an inspiration to many and she leaves a life-long legacy of extraordinary people at the Canberra Hospital thanks to her wonderful mentorship. I suspect, it will not be until Jane leaves, will most understand just how much she has done for the organisation. I know, she will leave an enormous gap at many levels and I shall miss her greatly. Thankfully, I know where I can still share morning tea with her!”

Professor Imogen Mitchell, Executive Director, Research and

Academic Partnerships, Canberra

Health Services

“I have known Jane for the last 17 years. Our journey as a mentor-mentee relationship has evolved into an unbreakable friendship. She has grown me both professionally and personally. I know Jane will be always there for me and help me whenever I need it. She knows me more than I know myself. I am so blessed and fortunate to have someone like her in my life.”

Dr Mitali Fadia, Anatomical Pathologist, ACT Pathology

“Professor Dahlstrom made pathology lectures a joy. Her enthusiasm to link the clinical presentation to what is seen under the microscope was evident in every lecture and workshop. She reviewed our exam performance and took the time to reteach the things that we misunderstood. Her door was always open for questions, and nothing was considered too simple to ask. She taught about more than the microscope, addressing stewardship of the health system and the actual cost of the investigations that we would go on to request in our medical career. Her teaching influences my practice every day.”

Dr Kerrie Aust, AMA ACT President-Elect

“Jane is always a bright light and a deeply engaging educator, and even if I don’t love histology and pathology the way she does, for the rest of my career I know I will hear her voice saying “SITE SIZE SHAPE COLOUR CONSISTENCY….” as I describe a specimen (and of course using my 7cm finger she made us measure to help estimate sizes). I’m eternally grateful I was able to be taught by such a kind and generous woman.” May Erlinger, final year medical student, ANU